Sex-atypical choices of professional studies and professional occupations among men
Hilde Karlsen - Ph.D. Fellow
Advisor:
Professor Arne Mastekaasa , Oslo University College/Oslo University
Second advisor:
Senior Researcher Bente Abrahamsen , Oslo University College
Project period:
Autumn 2006-2010
The project is funded by Oslo University College.
Summary:
The aim of this project is to examine how men experience being in professions where women are and traditionally have been in majority. The background for this interest is found in the Norwegian labour market, which compared to other European countries is highly gender segregated. The gender segregation appears especially strong in care related professions, such as nursing and social work. In spite of growth in the percentages of men choosing long term parental leave, men still seem highly disinterested in taking on paid care related work. How can we understand and explain the absence of men in professions where women are in majority? Are there differences in the experience and significance of being male – compared to being female – in these kinds of professions, and in the educational programmes qualifying for them? The research will be carried out using StudData, which offers a unique opportunity to examine individuals´ motivations, attitudes and experiences from the beginning of their study and several years into their occupational career. The four research questions this project will shed light on are 1) which motivations and factors affect men and women to choose professions where women are in majority (nursing, social work, teaching, physiotherapy) 2) how can the attrition of men and women from such studies be explained, and does the nature of attrition from such studies differ from studies that are more gender balanced 3) what affects job satisfaction among male and female nurses, teachers, social workers, physiotherapists and doctors 4) how do male and female nurses, teachers, social workers, physiotherapists and doctors differ in income and status, and how do income and status relate to motivations for choosing the particular education? The thesis will be based on sociology of the professions and sociological theory more generally, and will consist of articles published in scientific journals.